Aylesford Priory 2017

Our Day Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory Sunday 11th June 2017

Having just celebrated the feast day of our Patron Saint Columba on Friday 9th, it was fitting that our Council once again journeyed to the Knights Southern Area Pilgrimage at Aylesford Priory where we are always made to feel at home.

Just like last year, we took a coach of Knights and parishioners from across the Southend parishes, and we were delighted that two of the nuns from Nazareth House were able to join us.

With the Southend sunshine in tow, we arrived with plenty of time to settle in for the 51st Annual pilgrimage and Mass was said by Monsignor Matthew Dickens (Vicar General for Southwark) with Reverend Father Innocent Obonyi concelebrating on the feast of the Holy Trinity. Monsignor Matthew recognised and thanks the Knights across the country for the work we do for our clergy, for our parishes and for the community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve and support our clergy in working in our communities.

During Mass, three of our members amongst thirty three were elevated to full Knighthood with our Supreme Knight Brother Charlie, and Deputy Supreme Knight Brother Bertie leading the short ceremony.

Brothers Duncan, Charles and Jerry (front to back) ready to become full Knights

After Mass, and then lunch, we had time to wander around the peaceful grounds that the Carmelites care for so well, and the day finished with a Rosary Procession and Benediction before boarding the coach back to Southend. All in all a brilliant day with a chance to reflect, to give thanks, and to be together with our families and friends.

From Southend to Aylesford 2016

The 50th Annual Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory Sunday 12th June 2016

This was the 50th pilgrimage to Aylesford of Province 12 although it is now known as the Southern Provinces pilgrimage and the many coaches and travellers brought with them the rain and overcast conditions but this did not dampen the mood at all.  When our full coach left Southend-on-Sea early that morning, we were basking in glorious morning sunshine but we all knew that the weather would change. There was a time when we used to depart from Southend by boat and meet coaches at the other side of the Estuary but for the time being, we will continue to serve the local parishes by putting on a coach with local pickups for now.

Every Sunday nearest the feast of Saint Columba, the Knights have made Aylesford in Kent its spiritual home.

Umbrellas to the ready

Ever since the Knights helped with the rebuilding of the Priory after World War Two of which many of our deceased members were personally involved with, we have made the pilgrim journey to celebrate Mass, and this year we were honoured to have Reverend Father Innocent Obonyi M.S.P. presiding for us and on this 50th anniversary it was fitting that Father Innocent said Mass for us as the Provincial Chaplain for Southwark Province 12. Assisting with Mass were Reverend Deacons Alan Boxall and John Newman, and with pilgrims crammed into the sides under shelter from the rain, Father Innocent preached his homily about forgiveness in this Year of Mercy. Present were Supreme Knight Brother Charlie McCluskey and Deputy Supreme Knight Brother Bertie Grogan, and Brother Charlie commented after Mass that if we took Father Innocent around the parishes to talk about the Knights then our numbers would swell to twenty thousand.

Reverend Father Innocent Obonyi

Due to the adverse weather, the Full Knighthood degree was transferred from after the homily to immediately after Mass had finished so that it could be carried out in Saint Joseph's chapel where seventy brothers from twenty-four Councils were raised to full Knighthood. We were delighted that four of our members at Southend 192 were part of those raised to full Knighthood and the rain held out for photos afterwards.

Our four from Southend-on-Sea

In the afternoon, we processed en masse through the 'Rosary Way' finishing in the open air church for Benediction, recitation of our Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady and sang the National Anthem in honour of Her Majesty's 90th birthday before all departed our separate ways home with renewed vigour and undampened spirits.

Thank go to Liam and his wife Sandy for their efforts with filling the coach.